Pop-up box



D. P. EPSTEIN May 12, 1964 POP-UP BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1962 INVENTOR .DA V/D R EPs TEI/v ATTORNEY y 12, 1954 D. P. EPSTEIN 3,132,741

POP-UP BOX Filed Jan. 26, 1962 Tac 2 Z? 29 {a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ze I g; /6 32 T1 -7- M I lNVENTOR A ORNEY United States Patent 3,132,741 POP-UP BOX David P. Epstein, 9 Mallard Rise, Irvington, N.Y. Filed Jan. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 168,935 12 Claims. (Cl. 206-4513) The present invention relates generally to improvements in self-erecting display devices and it relates more particularly to an improved box structure having a pop up member associated therewith and actuated with the opening and closing of the box.

Self-erecting display or pop-up devices have been associated with books, folders and the like and have been actuated with the opening and closing of the book or folder. However, the pop-up devices which are conventionally associated with books and folders possess many drawbacks and disadvantages. The structure of the conventional pop-up device is unsuitable for actuation in response to the opening of a box, particularly where the box is of the type having a hinged cover. Moreover, these structures would be subjected to excessive stresses attendant to their manipulation, which stresses shortly result in damage to the structure rendering it inoperative. It is apparent that the conventional pop-up device is of limited application and leaves much to be desired.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved display device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-erecting or pop-up display device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a box, carton or the like provided with pop-up device actuated by the opening and closing of the box.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinged box having associated therewith a pop-up device actuated with the opening and closing of the box;

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a pop-up device of the above nature characterized by its simplicity, ruggedness, versatility and low cost.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is 'a perspective View of a box embodying the present invention and illustrated in closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view thereof illustrated in a partially open position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view thereof illustrated in fully open position with the pop-up device erected.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 55 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 2, the receptacle being illustrated by broken line in its upright position;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the blank forming the pop-up device and associated elements;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in open position;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary transverse sectional thereof in its fully closed position.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a pop-up device comprising a box including top and bottom box panels and an intermediate panel disposed between and hingedly connecting said top and bottom box panels along a transverse axis, a pair of first and second pop-up panels hinged to each other along a transverse axis, one of said pop-up panels having an outer view 3,132,741 Patented May 12, 1964 ice transverse edge hinged to one of said box panels, a connecting panel hinged along one edge thereof to the outer tranverse edge of said other pop-up panel and its other transverse edge hinged to said other box panel, and a popup member actuated by at least one of said pop-up panels.

According to a preferred form of the present device the top and bottom box panels are of rectangular shape and provided with upstanding peripheral walls, one of which is the said intermediate panel, to define hinged base and cover sections wherein the base section telescopes the cover section in closed position. The pop-up structure is formed of a single blank having hinge defining fold lines formed therein to delineate the pop-up and connecting panels arranged side by side and separated by transverse fold lines parallel to the hinge line of the box sections. Wing members extend laterally from the outer edges of the connecting and opposite pop-up panels and are secured to the inner faces of the .box panels. The rear edges of the pop-up panels converge rearwardly to the fold line separating the pop-up panels and the pop-up member includes a pair of panels extending from the rear edges of the pop-up panels and delineated therefrom by fold lines along the pop-up panels rear edges and hinged to each other by a fold line along their contiguous edges extending from the fold line separating the pop-up panels. The pop-up member panels are provided with hinged wings at least one of which overlies the box bottom panel when the box is in closed position. A tiltable receptacle support is formed from the blank and is located at a corner of the box base section. The support is defined by edge hinged top, bottom and side rectangular panels, the top panel being provided with an aperture for receiving a receptacle or the like.

The structure described above is advantageously modified in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention by having the intermediate panel hinged to both the box top and bottom panels, the end edges thereof being separated from the corresponding edges of the box peripheral walls.

Referring now'to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 7 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 11 generally designates the box portion and the numeral 12 the pop-up structure of the improved device. The box 11 is of known construction and includes a base section 13 and a cover section 14 hinged thereto. The base section 13 comprises a rectangular bottom wall 16 and upstanding peripheral rear wall 17, and front and side walls. The cover section 14 comprises a rectangular top wall 18 of similar shape to the bottom wall 16 but of .slightly greater dimensions, and upstanding peripheral front and rear walls 19 and 20 respectivelyand side Walls.

The box sections 13 and 14 may be produced in the usual manner each of a unitary blank of cardboard or other suitable material cut and folded to form a corresponding stiff core member 21. The outer surfaces of the core members 21 have glued thereto a facing layer 22 formed of any suitable flexible material. The facing layer 22 extends above the free edge of the cover rear wall 20 to form a wing 23 which is glued to the adjacent underface ofthe base bottom Wall 16 to provide a hinge connection between the box base and cover members 13 and 14 along the adjacent lower edge of the base rear wall 17 and the upper edge of the cover front wall 20. In the closed position of the box the base section 13 nests in the cover section 14 as illustrated in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5.

The pop-up and collapsible support structure is formed of a unitary blank B, illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawing, which may be of cardboard or other suitable material of similar characteristics. The blank B is divided longitudinally by transverse fold lines in the well known manner into successive wings and panels. Disposed between the ends of the blank B are a pair of side by side similarly shaped pop-up panels 24 and 26 respectively separated by an intermediate transverse fold line a, the panels 24 and 26 being symmetrically arranged relative thereto. The front edges of the panels 24 and 25 are laterally colinear and the rear edges thereof are delineated by fold lines b and c which converge rearwardly from the outer side edges of the panels 24 and 26 to the fold line a. The depth of the panels 24 and 26 are slightly less than the depth of the box base section 13. Projecting laterally from the edge of the panel 24 and delineated therefrom by a fold line d is a narrow connecting panel 27 substantially coextensive with the fold line d and of a width not exceeding the height of the box base section peripheral wall and preferably in excess of about one half said height. I

A pair of side by side rectangular wings 29 and 34 project from the side edge of the connecting panel 27 and are of a depth substantially equal to the inside depth of the cover wall 13. The Wing 29 is delineated from the connecting panel 27 by a transverse fold line e and is of a width somewhat less than that of the cover section 14. The wing 3% is delineated from thewing 29 by a fold line 7 and is of less width than said panel. A substantially rectangular wing 32 projects laterally from the panel 26 and is delineated therefrom by a transverse fold line g. The wing 32 is of slightly less depth and width than the wing 29 and the front edges of wings 2?, 3i and 32 and panels 24, 25 and 27 are substantially colinear as are the rear edges of wings 29, 3d and 32.

Projecting forwardly from the front outer corner of the wing 32 are a plurality of successive rectangular panels which are assembled to form the collapsible receptacle support. A transverse slit i extending rearwardly from the front edge of the wing 32 between the sides thereof and a fold line k extending from the rear end of the slit h to the outer edge of the wing 32 delineate a support base panel 33 from the Wing 32. Extending forwardly of the support base panel 33 are successive rectangular front panel 34, top panel 36, rear panel 37 and connecting panel 38. The panels 33, 34, 36, 37 and 38 are of the same Width and have colinear side edges. Panels 33 and 36 are of about the same depth as are panels 34 and 37. The panels 33, 34, 36, 37 and 33 are delineated one from the other by the dividing fold lines I. Formed in the top panel 36 is a receptacle receiving aperture 39 of any desired shape.

A pair of pop-up wings 40 and 41 project from the rear edges of the pop-up panels 24 and 26 respectively and are delineated therefrom by the fold lines b and c the Wings 4% and ill having transverse contiguous edges delineated by a fold line In extending from the rear end of fold line a. The outer forward corner of the wing 41 beyond the fold line c is cut out by an angailated slit to provide a tab section 42 and the upper inner cornerof wing32, the overall width of the tab section 42 and wing 41 being slightly less than the distance between the fold line k and the rear edge of the wing 42. The rear edge of the wing 40 is delineated by a fold line n forming a small angle relative to the fold line b and dividing a Wing 43 from the wing ill. As viewed in FIGURE 7 of the drawing fold lines a and n are convex in that the opposite panels diverge downwardly therefrom and the remaining fold lines are concave.

In the assembled condition of the box 11 and the popup structure 12 the Wings 29 and 32 are superimposed upon the inner faces of the box Walls 18 and 16 and glued thereto, the outer edge of the wing 32 and the fold line 1 coinciding with corresponding edges of the walls 16 and 18. It should be noted that the underface of the panel 33 is free of the Wall 16. The panels 34, 36, 37 and 33 are folded about the respective fold lines I to form a support tube 44 of rectangular cross-section, the underface of the panel being superimposed upon and glued to the top face of the panel 33 to complete the support 44 which is 4! swingable about the fold line k between an upright and a retracted position.

When the box 11 is in its fully open position, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the pop-up structure 12 is erect and the box base 13 is at a higher level than the cover 12. The panels 27, 24 and 26 are directed upwardly toward the fold line a which is substantially in registry with the upper edge of the base wall 13. The pop-up wings 40 and 41 are substantially vertical and converge rearwardly to the fold line in. The support 44 is in an erect position and supports in an upright position a receptacle. 46 of any desired type which registers with the aperture 39.

In closing the box 11 and collapsing the pop-up structure 12 the cover 14 is swung toward its closed position as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 to 6, to bring the panels 24 and 26 superimposed to a position overlying the wing 32. The wing 41 is carried into a sandwiched position between the panel 26 and wing 32 with the wing-l2 overlying the wing 32 beyond the fold line edge a. The wing 40 folds forwardly to overlie wing 41 and panel 24, the wing 43 folding rearwardly about line n to overlie wing 40. Prior to the closing of the box 11 the support 44 and receptacle 46 are swung to their upset position so that upon collapse of the op-up structure 12 with the closing of the box 11 the wing 42 assumes a position underlying the receptacle 46 and the upset support 44.

Upon opening of the box 11 the pop-up structure 12 is actuated to its erect position in a manner opposite to its collapsing procedure, the receptable 46 and support 44 being swung to their erect position by the wing 42.

In FIGURES 8 to 10 of the drawing there is illustrated anotherv embodiment of the present invention dilfering from that first described primarily in the hinge structure between'the box cover and base. Specifically the box includesa cover section 50 and a base section 51 arranged,

which in open condition in spaced end to end position.

The cover section 50 includes a rectangular top wall 52 and the base section 51 includes a similarly shaped bottom wall 53 of slightly smaller dimensions than the top wall 52. The confronting rear end edges of the top and bottom walls 52 and 53 are joined by a narrow substantially rectangular intermediate panel 54 which is delineated from the walls 52 and 53 by parallel fold lines. Upstanding peripheral walls 56 extend along the side and front edges of the box top and bottom walls 52 and 53 and are of a height preferably equal to about the width of the panel 54.

The pop-up structure associated with the box 50 comprises a pair of similarly shaped pop-up panels 57 and 58 divided by a transverse fold line p. The panels 57 and 58 extend for almost the full width of the box their front edges being colinear and adjacent the corresponding edges,

of the box and their rear edges converging rearwardly to the fold line p. The outer transverse edge of the panel 58 is hinge connected to a Wing 59 and delineated therefrom by a fold line q. The outer transverse edge of the panel 57 is hinged to a narrow rectangular connecting panel '60 which is hinged along its opposite edge to a rectangularwing 61. Fold lines r and s delineate the panel 69 from the panel 57 and wing 61 respectively. The

wings 59 and 61 are superimposed upon and glued to the inner faces of the box walls 52 and 53 and are so disposed that when the box 56 is in its fully open position the fold line p is located approximately directly above and parallel to the rear edge of the box wall 53 and is about at the level of the upper edges of the Walls 56. It

should be noted that the connecting panel 60 is of a width not exceeding that of the panel 54 and is advantageously not less than one half said width.

A pair of pop-up wings 63 and 64 extend from the rear diagonal edges of the panels 57 and 58 and are delineated therefrom by fold lines coinciding with said edges. The panels 63 and 64 have contiguous edges defined by a dividing fold line if extending from the rear end of'the fold line p. The construction and assembly of the box and pop-up device last described is similar to that of the first described embodiment. Furthermore, the operation of the device last described is similar to that first described in so far as the corresponding elements are concerned and requires no further explanation.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made Without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A pop-up device comprising a box including top and bottom box panels and an intermediate panel disposed between and hingedly connecting said top and bottom box panels along a transverse axis, a pair of first and second actuating panels hinged to each other along a transverse axis, one of said actuating panels having an outer transverse edge hinged to one of said box panels, a connecting panel hinged along one edge thereof to the outer transverse edge of said other actuating panel and hinged along its other transverse edge to said other box panel, and a pop-up member actuated by at least one of said actuating panels.

2. A pop-up device comprising a box including cover and base rectangular box panels and an intermediate rectangular panel disposed between and hingedly connecting said box panels about a transverse axis, first and second actuating panels having inner transverse contiguous edges hinged to each other along a transverse axis and outer edges parallel to said inner edges, one of said actuating panel outer edges being hinged to one of said box panels along a transverse axis, a connecting panel having parallel transverse edges one of which is hinged to the other of said box panels and the other of which is connected to the other actuating panel outer edge, and a pop-up member actuated by at least one of said actuating panels.

3. The actuating device of claim 2 wherein said actuating panels have diagonal end edges converging to the hinge axis of said actuating panels and said actuating member includes a pair of panels hinged to said end edges and hinged to each other along contiguous edges thereof.

4. The pop-up device of claim 2 including a swingable support mounted on the inner face of one of said box panels and movable between an upright and an upset position, a receptacle releasably carried by said support, and means actuated by said actuating panels moving said support between said upright and retracted positions.

5. The pop-up device of claim 4 wherein said support moving means includes a third actuating panel connected to one of said actuating panels and movable therewith between a position overlying said one or" said box panels and underlying said receptacle, and an upright position.

6. The actuating device of claim 2 wherein said actuating panels, connecting panel and pop-up member are formed of a single blank and are delineated from each other by hinge defining fold lines.

7. The pop-up device of claim 2 including connected being hinged to the upper edge of said connecting panel defining wall.

The pop-up device of claim 2 wherein opposite edges of said intermediate panel are hinged to corresponding contiguous edges of said box panels and including upright walls extending along the other edges of said box panels.

9. A pop-up device comprising a box including a rectangular base having an upstanding peripheral wall and a rectangular cover of greaterdimensions than said base and having a depending peripheral wall, a transverse edge of said base being hinged to the upper edge of a corresponding wall of said cover, a pair of actuating panels having parallel inner and outer transverse edges and hinged to each other along contiguous transverse inner edges thereof, the outer edge of one of said panels being hinged to said base member along a transverse axis, a connecting panel having opposite parallel transverse edges one of which is hinged to the outer edge of the other of said actuating panels and the other of which is hinged to said cover member, a pair of pop-up panels hinged along contiguous edges and having end edges hinged to the end edges of said actuating panels.

10. The pop-up device of claim 9 wherein the width of said connecting panel does not exceed the height of any of said peripheral walls.

11. A pop-up device comprising a box including a rectangular base panel, a similarly shaped rectangular cover panel of greater dimensions than said base panel, a rectangular intermediate panel having opposite transverse edges hinged to corresponding contiguous edges of said base and cover panels, and peripheral walls extending along the other edges of said panels, said peripheral walls being of a height not exceeding the width of said intermediate panel, a pair of actuating panels having parallel inner and outer transverse edges and hinged to each other along contiguous transverse inner edges thereof, the outer edge of one of said actuating panels being hinged to said base panel along a transverse axis, a connecting panel having opposite parallel transverse edges one of which is hinged to the outer edge of the other of said actuating panels and the other of which is hinged to said cover panel, a pair of pop-up panels hinged along contiguous edges and having end edges hinged to the end edges of said actuating panels.

12. The pop-up device of claim 11 wherein the width of said connecting panel does not exceed the width of said intermediate panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,298,136 Lavere Oct. 6, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,645 Switzerland Sept. 15, 1890 

1. A POP-UP DEVICE COMPRISING A BOX INCLUDING TOP AND BOTTOM BOX PANELS AND AN INTERMEDIATE PANEL DISPOSED BETWEEN AND HINGEDLY CONNECTING SAID TOP AND BOTTOM BOX PANELS ALONG A TRANSVERSE AXIS, A PAIR OF FIRST AND SECOND ACTUATING PANELS HINGED TO EACH OTHER ALONG A TRANSVERSE AXIS, ONE OF SAID ACTUATING PANELS HAVING AN OUTER TRANSVERSE EDGE HINGED TO ONE OF SAID BOX PANELS, A CONNECTING PANEL HINGED ALONG ONE EDGE THEREOF TO THE OUTER TRANSVERSE EDGE OF SAID OTHER ACTUATING PANEL AND HINGED ALONG ITS OTHER TRANSVERSE EDGE TO SAID OTHER BOX PANEL, AND A POP-UP MEMBER ACTUATED BY AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ACTUATING PANELS. 